article thumbnail

Fall Birding at Nisqually NWR

10,000 Birds

Most of the estuaries of Puget Sound in Washington State have been developed, but one of the few that remain is the Nisqually River Delta, which was protected as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1974. Nisqually NWR) is one of Washington’s finest and most popular birding locations. It is on my list as one of the Top 25 NWRs for Birding. (As

article thumbnail

Summer Birding at Conboy Lake NWR

10,000 Birds

I recently drove from my home in Portland to Conboy Lake NWR in southern Washington for a birding day-trip. When I arrived in the morning, there were many birds and no people. Although the refuge was established in 1964 in part to protect crane habitat, a pair did not return until 1972, and the first nests were observed in 1976.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Trending Sources

article thumbnail

The National Wildlife Refuge System: Birders Leading the Way

10,000 Birds

Crotty is a birder and lawyer living in Portland, Oregon. This is Jason’s first contribution to 10,000 Birds: Birders were rightly alarmed by the armed occupation of the Malheur NWR in Oregon. One of the nation’s premier birding locations had been overrun by an armed militia and the occupation unexpectedly endured for weeks.

Wildlife 189
article thumbnail

Mrs Pankhurst’s Purple Feather–A Book Review

10,000 Birds

Last year I reviewed The Feather Thief , an enjoyable tale centering on the use of feathers in the Victorian art of salmon fly-tying, and how that led to the theft of priceless bird skins by one obsessed young man. and the Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Act of 1921 in Great Britain). This is where Boase excels.

Industry 120
article thumbnail

The Plume Hunter

10,000 Birds

In this captivating book, Thompson explores the motivation behind hunters who shot birds to sell feathers for women’s hats at the turn of the nineteenth century. What compelled these men, beyond desire for money, to kill birds? Gone were the fir canopies of Portland’s forest, the clouds of pewter and purple.

Hunters 199
article thumbnail

Greater Sage-grouse v. Wind Turbines in Oregon

10,000 Birds

Crotty is a birder and lawyer living in Portland, Oregon who has been sharing some thought-provoking pieces with 10,000 Birds readers. Wind energy is an alternative to burning fossil fuels to generate electricity, but there are consequences to the environment and, in particular, to birds.

Oregon 101
article thumbnail

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes 2015 Expansion of Hunting and Fishing Opportunities on National Wildlife Refuges

10,000 Birds

Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge : Open to migratory bird hunting (youth only). Located on the outskirts of Portland, OR, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge is one of only a handful of urban national wildlife refuges in the country. This is an Urban Refuge ! Why would you open it up to hunting?

Fish 144